Game of the week
Green Bay Packers (11-4) v Minnesota Vikings (13-2)
The scheduling gods have flexed their muscles and pushed another potential warm-up for the postseason into the choice late-afternoon slot. We have a late festive feast in Green Bay heading to Minnesota, in favor of a damp squib between Philadelphia and Dallas, for what could turn out to be the NFC Championship Game. The Packers are fresh from locking their playoff place with a thrashing of the Saints while the Vikings are gunning for an incredible ninth win in succession. Unfortunately for Matt LaFleur’s team they cannot reach any higher than third in the NFC North as the Lions also sit on 13-2, but this presents a perfect chance to practice playing on the road against a high-caliber rival. Minnesota meanwhile are neck and neck with Detroit for the No 1 seed and will be aiming for a crucial victory – one that could set up a shoot-out for the first-round bye next week against the Lions.
